SOCI 3003 — Lecture 8

Learning Outcomes

• Compare and contrast sociological theories to analyze social problems, criminal behavior, and crime victimization.
• Apply sociological theories to criminal cases and crime statistics.
• Discuss the role of criminological theory in shaping correctional facilities.
• Acknowledge the limitations of theories and methods in analyzing criminal events and behavior.
• Improve the use of complex terminology in criminological theory and events.

Feminist Theories of Crime

• Emerged around the same time as Marxist theories, gaining attention during the women's rights movement.
• Responds to the lack of rational theories explaining why women commit crimes and their treatment by the justice system.
• Previous theories based on stereotypes rather than empirical evidence.

Key Terms in the Feminist Perspective

• Chivalry: Behavior treating individuals (especially women) as though they are deserving of special treatment.
• Paternalism: The view that women need protection from men, imparting dependence.
• Patriarchy: A social system where men dominate politically, economically, and legally, often considering women biologically inferior.

Key Issues in Research on Gender Differences in Offending

• Gender Ratio Issue: Investigates why women generally commit less serious crimes than men, suggesting an analysis of male violence to help reduce it.
• Generalizability Issue: Critique of applying male offending patterns to women, given their distinct backgrounds and motivations.
• Observations show that while crime may increase in women, it often stems from socio-economic disadvantages, not liberated freedoms.

Types of Feminism (Overview)

1. Liberal Feminism

• Asserts that differences in offending stem from the lack of educational and job opportunities for women.
• Diverges into Classical and Welfare feminists: Classical supports minimal government intervention, while Welfare advocates for government support systems.

2. Critical (Radical) Feminism

• Highlights patriarchy's pervasiveness in various societal structures.
• Points to biological differences as a reason for male dominance.
• Two subtypes:
  • Libertarian: Emphasizes enjoyable consensual relationships.
  • Cultural: Focuses on the need to create women-centered institutions.

3. Marxist Feminism

• Focuses on economic control by men over women, leading to oppression within capitalist societies.

4. Socialist Feminism

• Combines patriarchy and capitalist exploitation, suggesting women reclaim control over reproduction.

5. Postmodern Feminism

• Views women's experiences as unique and subjective, rejecting universal explanations.
• Emphasizes that knowledge production is influenced by gender.

Evidence Regarding Feminist Theories of Crime

• Feminist theories highlight the neglect of female offenders in traditional criminology.
• Current evidence suggests that more liberated women have lower offending rates. Women benefitting from opportunities are less likely to commit crimes than those without.
• Emphasizes the need for more research on female crime and patterns distinct from male-centric theories.

Critiques of Feminist Theories

• Tend to focus on white, middle-class women without fully addressing intersectionality regarding race, class, and gender.
• The lack of inclusivity in examining different experiences of women may limit the effectiveness of feminist theory.

Policy Implications

• Legislative reforms to improve treatment of rape victims and broaden protections under the law, recognizing different types of coercive sexual conduct.
• Emphasizing the connection between personal lives and political structures.

Summary of Key Theoretical Frameworks